What is Mozi (墨子)?
Mozi (墨子, c. 470–391 BCE) was a Chinese philosopher and the founder of the Mohist school, one of the major philosophical traditions of the Warring States period. He is known for his doctrine of 'impartial caring' (兼爱 jiān ài) — the principle that one should care equally for all people regardless of their relationship to oneself.
Key Takeaways
- Mozi (墨子, c. 470–391 BCE) founded the Mohist school, a major rival of early Confucianism during China's Warring States period.
- His principle of impartial caring (兼爱 jiān ài) demanded equal concern for all people, rejecting the Confucian emphasis on graded love toward family first.
- He also condemned offensive warfare (非攻 fēi gōng), urged frugality, and argued for government by merit through 'elevating the worthy' (尚贤 shàng xián).
Understanding Mozi
Mozi's radical move was to reject Confucian graded love — the idea that one should care for kin more than strangers — in favor of impartial caring (兼爱 jiān ài) for all people equally. He argued this was the root cure for the wars and disorders of the Warring States, and he justified it with Heaven's will (天志) and the existence of ghosts (明鬼), which he used as incentives for ethical conduct. His school also stressed practical engineering, famed for devices to defend besieged cities (墨守), and the collected text, the Mozi (墨子), preserves his ten core doctrines in paired chapters.
Further Reading
Related Guides
- What is Confucianism? — Mozi was a rival to Confucius
- What is Confucius? — Mozi criticized and challenged Confucius
- What is Chinese Philosophy? — One of the Hundred Schools of Thought
- What is Military Strategy? — Mozi opposed aggressive warfare
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mozi in Chinese Philosophy?
Mozi (墨子, c. 470–391 BCE) was the founder of the Mohist school, one of the major philosophical traditions of China's Warring States period. He is best known for impartial caring (兼爱 jiān ài), the idea that one should show equal concern for all people regardless of personal ties, and he directly contested the Confucian teachings of his day.
What does 墨子 mean?
墨子 (Mòzǐ) literally means 'Master Mo.' It refers both to the philosopher and to the book bearing his teachings, which includes chapters on ethical doctrine, logic, and the technical 'Mohist Canon.'
Why is Mozi important?
Mozi matters because he offered one of the earliest systematic rival visions to Confucianism in ancient China. His arguments for impartial caring, non-aggression (非攻 fēi gōng), frugality, and rule by merit influenced later debates on ethics, statecraft, and warfare, and his school was a major force among the Hundred Schools of Thought.
Also Known As
Chinese: 墨子. Mòzǐ, Mo Tzu, Mo Di, 墨子